January, 2011

January 28th, 2011

After being a non-profit partner of the Climate Ride the past two years, we’re thrilled that in 2011, we’ll be one of the Ride’s beneficiaries! We’re among a select group of nine beneficiary organizations, all working on climate solutions.

What does it mean for you? This year, when you sign up as a rider, you can sign up to have your miles on the open road benefit Climate Counts!

Learn more about how Climate Ride proceeds will help support important climate work here and sign up to do a 2011 Climate Ride (NYC-DC and California) to be a part of something big.

January 25th, 2011

Thanks to your support, 2010 was a banner year for Climate Counts. With four years of scores under our belts, thousands of consumers raising their voices through our website and free iPhone app, and the launching of a new program recognizing Industry Innovators, we’re having a bigger impact on the marketplace than ever. Eleven companies (nearly 8% of companies scored) now score higher than 75 points on the Climate Counts company scorecard and the average company score has improved from 31 points in 2007 to 50.1 points in 2010.

We couldn’t have done it without you and we need your sustained energy in 2011. We’re kicking off 2011 with a powerful Green Watching campaign and to build the buzz we’re offering a chance at a Climate Counts t-shirt if you vote for our best story in 2010!

In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, new House energy committee chair Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) continued changing his tune from being a climate solutions advocate to a climate change skeptic when he aligned himself with fellow skeptic and Americans For Prosperity (AFP) President Tim Phillips to support the lawsuits by global warming polluters against climate rules.

Upton has morphed from someone who viewed climate change as a “serious problem” in need of “serious solutions” to someone who’s not even convinced the science supporting climate change is conclusive. Moreover, Upton has thrown his support behind a lawsuit blocking the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases, specifically the EPA’s ability to issue new emissions standards for oil refineries and coal-fired power plants.

Here’s a look, thanks to Brad Johnson of Grist, at Upton’s climate change stance over the past eighteen months:

April 2009: “Climate change is a serious problem that necessitates serious solutions.”

June 2009: “We have a unique opportunity and a responsibility to reduce emissions and preserve our economy — the American public is desperate for solutions, but a national energy tax is not the answer.”

December 2009: “I think we can lower our emissions. I think the world will be better off if we did that, and we can do it without cap-and-trade.”

January 2010: “No matter what we did between now and 2050, it, there was no real science to verify that it would reduce the temperature rise that some predicted. And that’s why we do need hearings.”

December 2010: “Moreover, the principal argument for a two-year delay is that it will allow Congress time to create its own plan for regulating carbon. This presumes that carbon is a problem in need of regulation. We are not convinced.”

An about-face to say the least.

What can we do to convince the powerful politician that our nation needs to aggressively find alternatives to fossil fuels? First, let’s think about where his campaign checks are coming from.

It should come as no surprise that Upton’s campaigns — like most politicians — have corporate funding. If we as climate-conscious voters and climate-conscious consumers tell Pfizer and Time Warner – both of which helped fund Upton’s campaign — that we care what companies do to address climate change, over time they’ll begin to listen and will either make that clear to the candidates they support, or they’ll choose to support different ones.

If we tell the companies scored by Climate Counts that are based in Upton’s home state of Michigan — Kellogg’s, Whirlpool, Steelcase, La-Z-Boy, Masco, and Herman Miller — that we’re noticing their climate actions and want their help shifting Upton’s climate stance, we’ll have the top four Climate Counts scored furniture companies, the highest scoring appliance company, and an improving food giant making it clear to Upton that tackling climate change is an important part of how they do business.

That’s a combined revenue of $43.31 billion going into the Michigan economy and close to 100,000 valuable Michigan jobs in a state with more than 12% unemployment. If these companies start asking Upton to change his tune, do you think he’ll listen then? We do.

Remember how quickly Upton forgot he believed in climate change? Altering his corporate funding will jog his memory just as quickly.

Take a minute and send an e-mail or tweet to these Michigan companies. Your consumer dollars are what fuel this whole system.

Climate Counts company scores let you see which companies are showing true climate action by scoring them on the four key benchmarks to climate leadership: reviewing emissions, reducing emissions, public policy positions, and transparency. So when it comes to those necessity purchases, you have the power to use your dollars to support those companies that reflect your own concerns about climate change. But the fight against climate change doesn’t stop at your wallet, Climate Counts gives you the power to “raise your voice” directly to these same global corporations through e-mail and Twitter.

Mark Harrison is the Campaign Coordinator at ClimateCounts.org and can be reached at mharrison@climatecounts.org.

January 11th, 2011

We love our free iPhone app and know a lot of you do, as well. Now, we need your help getting more people to download and use it in 2011. Our graphic designer worked up a couple of ideas, and we want to use the best one in posters and online. What’s your favorite? Let us know and you could win a free Climate Counts WEADDUP T-shirt!

Climate Counts Graphic Selection Contest Rules

Dates: Beginning at 12.01am EST on January 11, 2011 and ending the 11.59pm EST January 16, 2011.

1.If already a member of the Climate Counts’ Striding Shopper e-mail list a click-through of either graphic choice ‘A’ or ‘B’ in the ‘Graphic Newsletter’ will give Climate Counts the right to enter the associated e-mail address into the Contest. If you’re not already on the list, you can sign up for the Striding Shopper e-mail list here.

2.If a Facebook Fan of the Climate Counts Page, a comment from the Fan on a ‘Graphic Contest Post’ will activate the referenced Facebook account as an entry into the Contest.

3.An e-mail with ‘Poster Contest’ in and Graphic Selection Contest answer ‘A’ or ‘B’ in the subject line sent to info@climatecounts.org will also enter the received e-mail address into the contest.

Eligibility. Open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding Puerto Rico and all other U.S. territories and possessions outside of the United States and where otherwise prohibited by law) who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry in the Contest (or in the case of legal residents of jurisdictions where the age of majority is greater than 18 years of age, such age of majority under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they reside at the time of entry. Employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives and independent contractors (and their immediate family members and members of the same households (whether related or not) of Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, are not eligible to participate. Subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void in Puerto Rico, and all other U.S. territories and possessions outside of the United States and where prohibited by law or restricted by such laws, including but not limited to jurisdictions with laws that would require registration and/or trust account or posting of a bond, or any other requirements that have not been satisfied.

Entry. The Contests begins at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 11, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on January 17, 2011 (the “Contest Period”). NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Entrants may enter multiple entries on the Contest Newsletter and Facebook. Entrants may enter on multiple days, but once an entrant has won they are not eligible to enter again.

If there is a dispute over the identity of an online participant, the entry will be deemed submitted by the Authorized Account Holder regardless of the individual that submitted the entry. “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g. business, educational, institution, etc.) responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

Neither Sponsor nor its advertising and promotion agencies are responsible for lost, late, incomplete, illegible, mutilated, inaccurate, misdirected, stolen or postage due entries or mail, or for any problems of any kind whether mechanical, human or electronic, including, but not limited to, computer, telephone, cable, network, satellite, electronic or Internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, connections, availability or garbled or jumbled transmissions, or service provider/Internet/web site/use net accessibility or availability, traffic congestion, or unauthorized human intervention. Sponsor reserves the right to suspend or terminate the Contest in the event of any such problem. Entries not in compliance with these Official Rules are disqualified. Sponsor shall have the absolute right to determine if an entry is in compliance with these Official Rules without notice to the person attempting to enter.

Information Contained in Entry. By submitting an entry, each Contest participant warrants and represents to Sponsor that the information contained in the entry is true and correct in all material respects and that Sponsor may rely on such information in its efforts to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Contest entries become property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

Application of Rules. By entering the Contest, each participant warrants that he or she has read and agrees to abide and be bound by these Official Rules and that he or she is not prohibited from participating in the Contest. Entrant agrees that Sponsor shall retain full authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret and administer these Official Rules, and to be bound by all decisions and interpretations made in good faith by Sponsor.

Selection of Winners. One (1) winners from all eligible entries will be selected during the Contest Period at random by Sponsor, whose decision will be final and binding. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received for the Contest. In the event a winning entry is discovered to be invalid for any reason whatsoever or the person who submitted the winning entry fails to comply with these Official Rules prior to delivery of the prize, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner selected at random from the remaining eligible entries at Sponsor’s discretion.

Approximate retail value of the prize: $25.00. Specifics relating to the prize are at sole discretion of Sponsor. Any expenses not specified herein are the sole responsibility of the winner. The prize may not be transferred or assigned, except at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. No cash value or substitution of the prize will be permitted or provided, except that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may provide a prize of comparable or greater value. Winners are solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all taxes that may apply to accepting and/or using the prize. Receipt of any prize is conditioned upon compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and these Official Rules. Sponsor will not replace lost or stolen prizes.

Delivery of Prize. Sponsor reserves the right to require each winner to show proof of identity prior to receiving the prize. Each winner may be required to complete an Affidavit of Eligibility and Release, and to complete such other documents as Sponsor may reasonably require, and return these documents within 5 days of delivery. If these documents are returned as undeliverable or are not completed and returned by such deadline or if a potential winner does not meet the eligibility or other requirements of the Contest, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected at random at Sponsor’s discretion. Sponsor will send the prize by U.P.S. Delivery Service to a qualified winner at the address given by that winner within 30 days of Sponsor’s receipt of the documents required by Sponsor to be completed and/or signed by the winner. Sponsor shall not be responsible for delivery of any documents and/or the prize provided that Sponsor addresses the documents to the address given by the winner. Sponsor is not responsible for prize information or documents that are lost or misdelivered by the postal service or carrier.

Release of Liability. Each entrant agrees that Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, their successors or assigns, and any and all of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, representatives, licensees and advertising and promotion agencies, shall not be liable for any personal injury, death, loss or damage of any kind or any other causes of action or claims related to entrant’s participation in this Contest, or acceptance or use of the prize awarded, and/or based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy. By participating in the Contest, each participant agrees to release and discharge Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries or affiliated companies, their successors and assigns, and any and all of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, representatives, licensees and advertising and promotion agencies, from any liability arising from or related to the Contest, including without limitation, personal injury, death, property damage, or claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.

Indemnification. Each entrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies, their successors or assigns, and any and all of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, representatives, licensees and advertising and promotion agencies, from and against any loss, damage or expense (including court costs and attorneys’ fees) that they may suffer or incur as a result or in conjunction or connection with entrant’s participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity and/or receipt, acceptance and/or use of the prize or any portion thereof.

Use of Winner’s Name and Likeness. By submitting an entry, you acknowledge and agree that, if you are selected as a winner, Sponsor may post your first name at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Climate-Counts/7698023321 and www.climatecounts.org. A winner who accepts the prize will be deemed thereby to have granted to Sponsor the right, at any time and from time to time, to print, publish, broadcast and use, worldwide and in any media now known or hereafter developed, including but not limited to, the Internet and world wide web, the winner’s name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness and biographical information as news or information and for advertising and promotional purposes without additional consideration, or right of review or notification, except where prohibited by law, and to have agreed to provide documentation in writing to confirm the foregoing promptly upon request by Sponsor.

Unlawful Conduct and Disqualification. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any Contest participant who Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, has (a) tampered with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or of any web site owned, operated or controlled by Sponsor or its parent, subsidiaries or affiliated companies; (b) was ineligible to participate in the Contest; (c) submitted more than the allowed number of entries; or (d) otherwise acted in an unlawful manner and/or in violation of these Official Rules. Robotic, automated, programmed, or computer generated entries or mechanical reproductions are prohibited, and any use of such devices or entry methods will cause disqualification. Any attempt by a participant to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operations of the Contest is a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such participant to the fullest extent permitted by law and to disqualify such participant from the Contest.

Limitation of Damages. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL SPONSOR, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATED COMPANIES, THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, LICENSEES AND ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS OR HARM TO BUSINESS OR REPUTATION, ARISING OUT OF ENTRANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, OR ACCEPTANCE OR USAGE OF THE PRIZE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DAMAGES FOR BODILY OR PERSONAL INJURY, EVEN IF SPONSOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR LOSS. ENTRANT AGREES THAT THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF SPONSOR ARISING OUT OF ANY KIND OF CLAIM (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) SHALL NOT EXCEED $1.00.

Suspension/Amendments. Sponsor reserves the right to suspend, cancel, terminate or modify the Contest without advance notice as required by law and/or in the event Sponsor believes, in its sole discretion, that any computer virus, worms, bugs, tampering, spamming, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures or other errors or problem beyond Sponsor’s control could corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, and thereafter to re-commence such Contest, if at all, only at such time(s) and upon such terms and conditions as Sponsor shall deem reasonable under the circumstances.

Severability. If any one or more provisions of these Official Rules are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, effect or enforcement of any other provision or provisions of these Official Rules.

Force Majeure. The failure of the Sponsors to comply with any provision of this Official Rules due to an act of God, hurricane, war, terrorism, fire, riot, earthquake, actions of governmental authorities outside the control of the Sponsors or other force majeure event shall not be considered a breach of these Official Rules.

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue. These Official Rules shall be interpreted in accordance with New Hampshire law without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. Entrants agree that the state and federal courts located in New Hampshire shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from or relating to these Official Rules, this Contest or entrants’ participation in this Contest, and entrants’ consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue thereof.

Winners List. To obtain the name of the official winner (after the conclusion of the Contest) or a copy of these Official Rules, send a self–addressed envelope with the proper postage affixed postmarked prior to January 17, 2010 to: ClimateCounts.org